Local DNR official asks for hunters? help

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

On an unofficial holiday for many, northern Michigan hunters celebrated by heading to the woods in search of a trophy buck. There were certainly some tall tales being told on Sunday night after the first day of firearm deer hunting season. Some were talking about the “one that got away,” while others had proof that they’re a good shot and had a memorable start to the 2009 season.

Others without stories were complaining about the warm weather on the opener, which quickly turned cool the next day. The annual hunting tradition continues in earnest until the end of the month and the Department of Natural Resources is still looking for help. Wildlife biologist Jennifer Kleitch, whose coverage area is Presque Isle, Montmorency and Alpena Counties, is worried Presque Isle County will not meet its 700 head quota in the agency?s fight to clear bovine tuberculosis from the herd. She is asking hunters to help out by driving to the closest deer check station.

BUDGET CUTS have forced the closing of the Posen check station. The closest stations are in Onaway and in Alpena, where she has been since the opener. The Onaway station will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 25, and again after the holiday on Nov. 30 only. Kleitch said deer in Alpena and Mio have come in with swollen lymph nodes. ?We still need to be doing what we’re doing and not giving up,? said Kleitch, as the DNR tries to clear up bovine TB.

The DNR also reminds hunters that it is illegal to feed or bait deer in the Lower Peninsula. Despite the presence of bagged corn and carrots at many stores across the state, placing feed that is accessible to deer in the fields and forests of the Lower Peninsula is a misdemeanor violation, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail. “We are taking this seriously and hunters and landowners should, too,” said DNR Law Division Chief Gary Hagler. “We are re

sponding to complaints about illegal feeding or baiting and encourage citizens to continue reporting any illegal activity to the Report All Poaching hotline.”

BAIT OR feed consists of any substance — grain, fruits, vegetables, hay, salt or minerals, whether natural or manufactured — that can be ingested by deer. The ban does not apply to scent products that use odor to attract deer. The Natural Resources Commission enacted the Lower Peninsula bait and feed ban in 2008 after a deer that tested positive for chronic wasting disease was discovered in a privately owned herd in Kent County.

Kleitch said it has been steady at the Alpena deer check station with some familiar faces coming through. ?It’s real hard to get a feel of what is going on in the woods from just being at the check station, but are numbers are up from last year,? said Kleitch. ?Talking to the hunters, nearly everyone is saying that it is slow as far as the number of gunshots they are hearing and the number of people they are seeing in the woods.? The best bucks brought into the Alpena and Atlanta stations were taken on state land and were 10-pointers.

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